Netflix Animated Film 'Steps' Reimagines Cinderella Through Stepsisters' Eyes
The film attempts to humanize classic fairy tale villains but struggles with formulaic storytelling.
1A Familiar Narrative Shift
Netflix's new animated feature, Steps, joins a long line of pop culture projects that humanize classic fairy tale villains. Following the trend set by films like Wicked and Maleficent, this story shifts the focus from Cinderella to her stepsisters, Lilith and Margot, attempting to reframe their traditional roles as antagonists.
2Plot and Character Dynamics
The film portrays the stepmother as a hardworking dressmaker, while Lilith and Margot are depicted as outsiders in the kingdom of Alouette. Initially friends with Cinderella, the sisters face social rejection from their peers. Cinderella's failure to defend them against school bullies eventually fuels a deep-seated sibling rivalry between them.
3The Rebellion of Lilith
Feeling alienated by the kingdom's social hierarchy, Lilith chooses to rebel against the status quo. She steals a magic wand from the Fairy Godmother, voiced by Bette Midler, and sabotages the royal ball. This act of defiance forces a journey through the forest, complicating matters for the Prince and the kingdom.
4Production and Creative Team
Directed by Alyce Tzue and John Ripa, the film features a screenplay credited to six writers, including Ava Tramer and Dana Schwartz. The production relies on a modern, pop-culture-heavy script that attempts to modernize the classic Cinderella mythology, though it often leans into predictable tropes rather than offering genuine subversion.
5Target Audience Assessment
While the film is unlikely to captivate adult viewers familiar with the genre, it is designed primarily for younger audiences. The narrative structure is simple enough to entertain children who are not yet weary of the formula, serving as a potential gateway before they move on to more complex, emotionally resonant stories.
6Visual and Thematic Execution
The animation is described as unpleasantly slick, contributing to a polished but ultimately hollow aesthetic. Despite the film's attempts to explore themes of bullying and social exclusion, the execution remains smooth around the edges. It succeeds in being competent but fails to leave a lasting impression on the viewer.
7The Limits of Reimagining
The trend of villain-led reimaginings, once a tool to add depth to two-dimensional characters, now feels increasingly superficial. Steps demonstrates that simply flipping a perspective does not guarantee originality. The film highlights how the constant cycle of deconstructing classics has lost its subversive edge, becoming a tired corporate entertainment formula.
8Release and Final Outlook
Steps is scheduled to begin streaming on Netflix on Friday, November 20, 2026. While it contains moments of genuine pathos regarding childhood isolation, the film remains a disposable entry in the genre. It serves as a reminder that even well-meaning projects can struggle to transcend their own predictable, corporate-driven narrative constraints.